Interior of Oak Lawn Public Library Xavierite
In the era of BookTok hauls and mass consumerism, supporting local libraries is more crucial than ever to support communities as a whole. Libraries not only provide accessible information but also a safe space for countless underserved populations.
Knowledge shouldn’t only be accessible to those with money, and libraries guarantee this isn’t the case. Books, internet access, employment help, and more resources are free of charge through local libraries. Community members can count on these resources no matter how much money they make.
I’ve been a consistent patron of my local library since I was a child, and I credit it with being the foundation for my love of reading. It didn’t matter if I didn’t read all the books I checked out or didn’t like them, because it was all free. I could experiment with what I wanted to read without any consequences.
Besides checking out countless books, I also went to my local library often because it was where my Girl Scout troop met. I knew as a child that libraries were for more than just books.
Just a few weeks ago, I went to my local library to vote for the very first time. Libraries uplift every aspect of the community in quiet, subtle ways.
The best thing about libraries is that they’re for everyone, and they don’t discriminate on any basis. Class, religion, gender, age, and sexual orientation don’t matter. Chances are there will even be special programs or resources for members of any marginalized group.
For example, libraries often have programs for various age groups. There are arts and crafts events for children, movie nights for teenagers, book clubs and employment help for adults, and informational seminars for seniors.
Furthermore, libraries typically partner with nonprofits to assist at-risk groups such as single mothers, victims of domestic violence, or homeless people.
Besides these programs, a library simply existing is a resource in and of itself. It’s one of the few places where people don’t need to spend money to spend an extended amount of time there. Anyone can sit in the library all day, no questions asked.
When I go to my local library, I often see the same patrons every time. These people rely on the library and frequent it on a weekly or even daily basis. Where would they be if that safe space didn’t exist?
Libraries are also vital for communities as a whole. Specifically, they play an important role in local economies.
Libraries provide a space for remote employees to work, offer job help to the unemployed, and some even give job and interview training. Promoting literacy and providing help to those learning English also helps community members become skilled job candidates.
In addition, libraries keep communities intelligent and informed. History and truth are kept alive as long as libraries are standing.
Many libraries preserve historical documents and even objects from decades long past, as well as supply many informational books about local or national history.
Newspapers are also available at many libraries, giving everyone a chance to stay informed and up to date on the news regardless of whether they can afford a subscription or not.
Clearly, libraries are cornerstones of every well-rounded, thriving community. They’re worthy of all the support possible, so how can we—as community members—help?
The first and easiest way to support local libraries is to sign up for a library card. It’s free and helps greatly along with checking out or requesting books.
Being able to prove the community utilizes the library and its resources is crucial for a library to receive proper funding.
Another way to help libraries is to volunteer. Volunteering helps keep the costs of libraries down since volunteers are doing jobs unpaid. Usually, volunteer opportunities can be found on the library’s website and only take an hour or two.
Simply being involved in local libraries in any way is a massive help. Attend events put on by the library and use their resources, because that’s what they’re there for!
Consider spending time at your local library if you don’t do so often. If you’re not a reader, most libraries offer movies, music, and even video games to be checked out as well.
A society without libraries is one of misinformation and elitism. Supporting local libraries means supporting the children without any other access to books. It means supporting the elderly man who sits there and reads every day just to get out of the house. It means supporting the homeless woman without anywhere else to warm up in the winter.
Supporting local libraries is supporting a better community, and any sort of help you may give makes a substantial difference.